Risks of Zika virus

Learn what the risks of Zika virus are and who's most at risk.
On this page
What are the risks of getting Zika virus?
Who is most at risk?
What are the risks of complications?
For more information
What are the risks of getting Zika virus?
The risk to Canadians living in Canada who do not travel is very low. There are
no reports of mosquitoes spreading Zika virus in Canada. The mosquitoes that tra
nsmit Zika virus aren't established in Canada due to our colder climate.
However, there's an ongoing, low level of risk to Canadians, especially those wh
o are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, travelling to areas with reported mosqui
to-borne Zika virus.
Who is most at risk?
If you're travelling to countries or areas in the U.S. with reported mosquito-sp
read Zika virus, you're at risk of being infected. Mosquitoes that spread Zika v
irus bite during daylight and evening hours. These mosquitoes generally don't li
ve at elevations above 2,000 metres, so your risk is very low at higher altitude
s.
Exposure to Zika virus during fetal development increases the risk of severe hea
lth outcomes. Special precautions to protect a developing fetus from exposure to
the Zika virus must be taken by:
pregnant women
those planning a pregnancy
their sexual partners
What are the risks of complications?
Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for a week. Howeve
r, Zika virus can remain in semen for up to six months.
Only 1 in 4 people infected with Zika virus are believed to develop symptoms.
Zika virus can cause:
Congenital Zika syndrome and severe birth defects in babies whose mothers were i
nfected during pregnancy, such as:
hearing loss
club foot and contracted limbs
incomplete brain development
abnormal development of the eyes
abnormally small heads (microcephaly)
other neurologic abnormalities including irritability, seizures and spasticity
Guillain-Barr syndrome (GBS)
There is currently no evidence that the virus:
will cause infections in a baby conceived after the virus is cleared from the bl
ood of an infected mother
poses a risk of birth defects for future pregnancies

Prevention of Zika virus

Learn how infection with Zika virus can be prevented.
On this page
How can you prevent infection with Zika virus?
What should you do if you've travelled to a Zika-affected country?
For more information
How can you prevent infection with Zika virus?
Currently, there is no vaccine for Zika virus.
However, you can reduce your risk of getting Zika virus by:
protecting yourself from mosquito bites at all times when travelling to countrie
s or areas in the U.S. with reported mosquito-spread Zika virus
using condoms correctly and consistently if you or your sexual partner have trav
elled to those areas
avoiding travel to those areas if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. If t
ravel can't be avoided or postponed, strict mosquito bite prevention measures sh
ould be followed. This is especially important because of the risk to a developi
ng fetus.
Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 week
s before you travel.
What should you do if you've travelled to a Zika-affected country?
For women
If you want to become pregnant after returning home, we strongly recommend you w
ait at least 2 months before trying to conceive. This time is what your body nee
ds to clear any possible Zika virus infection.
For men
Zika virus can survive a long time in the semen of infected males. We strongly r
ecommend that you wear condoms correctly and consistently or avoid having sex:
with a pregnant partner for the duration of the pregnancy
for 6 months after travel before you and your partner try to conceive
for 6 months after travel with any sexual partner
Men who have returned from Zika-affected countries should postpone semen donatio
ns for 6 months.
Men and women who have travelled to Zika-affected countries or areas should wait
a minimum of 21 days before donating:
cells
blood
tissues
organs